Living in Canada means that we’re dealing with lots of snow and ice for a good portion of the year. That being the case, it’s essential to be well-informed when buying a home during the winter season. To get you started, here are three common mistakes to avoid when buying a home during winter:

1. Consider the effects of ice and snow. One common mistake people make when buying a home in winter is not considering the potential impact of snow and ice on the property. For example, a home with a steep driveway or a lack of adequate snow removal equipment can become difficult or dangerous to access during a snowstorm. Additionally, cold weather can cause problems with plumbing and heating systems, so it’s essential to have these inspected before making an offer on a property.

2. Take advantage of the market. Another mistake people often make when buying a home in winter is not taking advantage of the lower demand for homes during this season. With fewer buyers in the market, sellers may be more motivated to negotiate on price, making it an excellent time to get a great deal on a property. However, some buyers may be hesitant to make an offer because they think there is something wrong with the home if it hasn’t been sold during the peak buying season. This is not necessarily the case, and it’s essential to look at the property objectively and make a decision based on its merits, not just on the time of year.

3. Take your time. Finally, some people may make the mistake of not being prepared for the longer closing process that can occur during the winter. Because of the holidays and inclement weather, it can take longer to complete inspections, appraisals, and other steps in the home-buying process. It’s essential to be patient and allow extra time for these activities rather than rushing through the process and potentially making a mistake. By being aware of these potential pitfalls and taking the necessary precautions, buyers can avoid making common mistakes when purchasing a home in the winter.

Are you considering a move in 2023? If you’re thinking of buying, winter can be a great time to avoid competition while finding your dream home. Reach out and let us know. We’d love to chat!

Having lazy days is universal—we all do it! With the number of streaming services and technology available to us in our homes, why would you need to leave the couch? However, staying active is super important, especially at home. Here are three ways to keep moving this summer:

1. Walk it out. Time passes quickly at home. It’s easy to spend hours watching our favorite TV shows, movies, or completing work. To best help yourself in these situations, start taking breaks in between shows or tasks to get some steps in. A 2011 study by the BMC Institute stated that the ideal amount of steps for any active adult should be between 4,000 to 18,000 steps a day. This could be spent walking the dog, taking a hike in nature, or even or just strolling to a favorite nearby store if you live in a walkable neighbourhood. Sometimes all it takes is substituting a short drive for a refreshing walk.
   
2. Revolutionize your TV time. So what if you’re binging your favourite show and you can’t walk away… you need to know what happens next! Let’s bring the active lifestyle right to your living space. Incorporating yoga, pilates, or any sort of gym equipment into your watch time will completely change the way you enjoy your favorite show. It can cost you nothing! Nobody said that relaxing in your living room and keeping yourself active had to be mutually exclusive. 

3. Pick up a hobby. One of the best ways to stay active is when you don’t even realize you’re doing it. Things like planting fruits and vegetables in your rear garden, taking care of your beautiful set of flowers in the front yard, trying different art styles, or picking up the tennis racquet can really help with your health, and it’s something we can all enjoy. We should all try to find something that we love in our life that can also improve with our mental health and well being.

Do you have any tips and tricks for staying active at home? We’d love to hear about them. Best of luck keeping moving this summer!

The past few years have seen many of us start working from home, either full-time or just part-time. As much as we all love to have the laptop in bed and attend meetings in our pajamas, it may be time to level up your at home workspace. Here are some tips to perfect any at home office:

1. Invest in a great chair. Spending hours doing anything requires some level of comfort, and none more important than the office chair. Any good chair will have a few distinct qualities. Beauty, because who wants an eye sore anywhere in their home? Beyond aesthetics, it has to be ergonomic, correct, and comfortable. We are past the days of no lumbar support and back pain. Trust us, your body will thank you.
   
2. Organize your workspace. It’s the 21st century, which means we are in the age of the futuristic office space. You can streamline your work process almost entirely with the right technology. That being said, make sure you position your desk closest to an outlet. No office space needs extension cords. While we’re on the topic of cords, find ways to manage them so you aren’t constantly tripping and unplugging everything. There are plenty of cost-effective options for cord management, so have fun with it.

3. Plenty of light. Eye strain is a real issue. Natural light and well positioned lamps can greatly reduce that. Not to mention it’s great to take a break and have a peek out of the window once in a while—nature is relaxing! What we don’t want, however, is that pesky glare reflecting off your monitor. Make sure you position it correctly and that won’t be an issue. Finally, every desk needs a small lamp for that perfect task lighting, so find something that fits your personal style.

What have you done to improve your at home office? We’d love to hear about it and any updates you’re planning on making. Best of luck!

The first day of summer is officially behind us! While we haven’t had the warmest season so far, we hope that those of you lucky enough to own a cottage have been able to spend some quality time there. If you’re looking to spruce up your vacation home, here are three tips you can try this summer:

1. Try an antique look. Using antique touches to style your cottage is a tried and true method for adding character to your vacation home. If you’re looking to give a room some more charm, try incorporating items you find in an antique store. This will add fun and warmth to any space, and will likely cost less than newer items you source. Just don’t overdo it—antique decor can be bulky, and too many large pieces can make your space feel cluttered.
   
2. Stay bug-free with a screened in porch. It’s easy for time outdoors to be spoiled when there are too many bugs buzzing around. If your cottage has a porch, try screening it in to create usable space no matter how buggy it may be. It’s a perfect way to bring the outdoors in—you can sit and watch the sunset and enjoy family time while not worrying about those pesky mosquitoes.

3. Make your bedrooms feel larger. Less is often more, especially when it comes to vacation properties! Because cottages are part-time homes, it’s unnecessary to add storage space in the form of big dressers or armoires. Try to find furniture with multiple uses, like a daybed that can be folded up or used for additional storage when you’re not sleeping on it.

Do you have any design tricks you’ve used to revamp your cottage this year? We’d love to hear about your plans and any updates you’re undertaking. Happy summer!

Flooring is an important part of any home renovation project. Whether you’re replacing your old hardwood or picking flooring for your custom home build, choosing the right materials and planning effectively is hugely important in keeping stress low and satisfaction high. Here are three flooring renovation mistakes to avoid during your next project:

1. Don’t buy cheap flooring materials. Renovating your home can be expensive, and while you can usually find places to cut costs, one place you shouldn’t is your flooring. Choosing the wrong materials can lead to having to replace it again far before the expected lifetime, so be sure to buy quality and durable flooring. You might have to spend more money upfront, but it’ll save you money in the long run.

2. Don’t set unrealistic timelines. The golden rule of renovation is that your preferred timeline most likely won’t be met. Unexpected issues can arise, causing the completion date to be moved back. In the case of flooring, you may have to wait several days after installation to move furniture back on your new floors. Give yourself and your installers extra time and both parties will be less stressed throughout the project.

3. Don’t under budget your flooring project. No home renovation project is going to be inexpensive, so it’s crucial to save for your home improvement projects and to prepare for both expected and unexpected costs that you might run into. You may think that you only need to budget for materials and labour, but you’ll also want to consider any costs and unexpected changes that might occur during the process. And in case anything goes wrong during your project, always purchase more flooring than you need.

Are you thinking of updating your flooring? We hope these tips will help you avoid some common mistakes. If you’re making updates to your home, be sure to send us over some photos—we’d love to see them!

Summer is upon us, and with the change in season comes another opportunity to update your home decor. Summer is one of our favourite times of year to decorate, as the warm weather encourages bold, bright, and colourful designs. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are three home decorating ideas for summer:

1. Pare down your furniture. It’s easy to fall into a creative rut when it comes to furniture. However, sometimes a “less is more” mindset can pay dividends. Try updating your furniture with a summer rental in mind; get rid of dark, heavy pieces and pick light and flowy accents to make your home feel like a summer getaway.

2. Don’t forget about the outdoors. Summer entertaining inevitably leads to garden parties and dinners under the stars. If you’re someone who loves to host, consider your outdoor decor. Low tables, floor pillows, and strands of clear outdoor lights will set the mood, and make sure you’re incorporating a bright, summery colour scheme.

3. Fill your table with colour. While you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors this summer, don’t forget about the dinner table! Colourful dishes and accents can make your dining room feel bright and fresh. Mix floral, tropical, or nautical-themed dishes with your everyday plates and bowls, and incorporate accents—like napkins or flowers—that will add a further pop of colour.

What do you think of these tips? We would be happy to hear what your summer decorating plans are—we’d love to see photos of any of your recent updates! Enjoy the warm weather. 

Staging a home refers to preparing the property for sale. There are many elements to staging; however, it is meant to showcase a home’s best assets, impress potential buyers, and sell it quickly for the best price. To help you in your staging process we have put together a few staging tips.

1. Refine the furniture. The furniture plays an important role in staging a home to sell. Getting the right size furniture can make all the difference, potentially determining the overall perception of the room. If the furniture is too big, the room will look smaller than it is and if it’s too small, the room can feel cold. If you aren’t using your own furniture, you can always rent it for the purpose of staging. When choosing pieces remember to select warm, homey, and quality furniture. The way each piece works together can help determine the flow and feel of the room.

2. Depersonalize. Potential buyers will try to envision themselves living in your home. Things like family photos, keepsakes, or anything of personal value may hinder their ability to feel at home. Therefore, while staging it is important to depersonalize and declutter. Store any kids toys and clear the kitchen and bathroom counters. This helps the buyer put themselves in the home and imagine the life they would like to create, potentially helping them in their decision.

3. Define each room. When reworking the design of each space and removing or replacing furniture, be sure to define a specific purpose for each room. This helps potential buyers see how they can maximize the home’s square footage. Turn the empty finished basement into an entertainment room and the finished storage room into a guest bedroom. It’s likely the buyer will not use the room for the same purpose; however, it is important for them to be able to see each room be a functional and usable space.

Overall, it’s important to present the home in the best light possible to really emphasize its features. However, you need to also remember that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money, as in this case less is more. Staging your home should aim to appeal to the most potential buyers as possible. If you have any staging tips or would like to know more about staging your home to sell, feel free to reach out anytime.

It has been quite the winter and we’re finally approaching some sunny weather. With the change of a season comes new trends in home decor. From bright colours to accessories, there are many ways you can elevate your space this spring. We have put together a few key interior design trends to keep in mind if you have been considering a refresh.

1. Make use of wallpaper. Believe it or not, wallpaper has been making a huge comeback! Modern patterns, textured paper, and simplified application are all contributing to this classic trend finding its way into many homes this season. Many are using wallpaper to create an accent wall. If you are thinking this is a huge commitment and a lot of work, many companies have designed temporary wallpaper lines just for you. This peel and stick application allows you to temporarily partake in this trend without damaging your walls or taking too much time. 

2. Incorporate worn wood tones. Well worn or reclaimed wood pieces can instantly bring warmth to your space. The tones and imperfections add a bespoke element to your spring interior design. Not only is this trend sustainable, it has the potential to be a staple throughout your home.

3. Accessorize. The more-is-more attitude is back and better than ever with decorative accents. Over the last couple of years, designers have seen more homes with an abundance of accessories. Anything from art, books, vases, candles etc., are taking spaces by storm to create dimension and add pops of colour to each room. 

Whether you’re adding a few bits and bobs to your bookshelf or investing in some incredible reclaimed wood pieces, your home is bound to feel fresh and brand new. We hope you’re feeling inspired to revamp your space for spring. We would love to see what trends you have taken part in!

As we are at the beginning of spring already, you may be thinking your rear garden needs a little help after winter. Your patio furniture might need some sprucing up or you have moved into a new home this past season and need some fresh and new ideas. We have put together a few tips to help you elevate your rear garden this spring.

1. Create zones in the rear garden. An important aspect of any open interior or exterior design is to create defined zones. A great way to do this in a rear garden is to use furniture, long planters, pergolas, and area rugs to distinguish between seating areas, dining areas, etc. These will help create an overall flow to the space and a purpose for each section. 

2. Include many seating options. The rear garden is the perfect spot to entertain, especially as we head into spring and summer. An important thing to consider is ample seating for all your guests. If you have a smaller rear garden, incorporating benches with storage not only creates extra seating but also allows for practical and discrete organization. There are a variety of seating options to choose from, including lounge chairs, stools, and couches, each serving its purpose.

3. Implement a focal point. Another way to elevate your rear garden is to focus your design on one specific item. Whether it is a gorgeous plant, outdoor fireplace, or a pool; choosing something that you want to be the centre of attention then allows you to choose colours and decor that compliments this piece. Each item working together creates a cohesive rear garden your guests are sure to rave about.

There are an endless number of options to elevate your rear garden to create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy all season. We hope that these few tips can help guide you in creating your outdoor oasis. Let us know what you end up doing with your rear garden this year!